Charles Town Picks and Analysis: January 17, 2026
The Biz- January 17, 2026
POST TIME: 7:00 PM
VARIETIES ON A MAP: 8
TRANSFERS:
- Jackpot pick 6, $26,011
- Choose 5, None
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RACE 1
3-1-2
#3 Go Go Prancer (1-1) arrives in good form and looks to be the fastest of the bunch and should be able to use that speed effectively with the good gate rider Acosta on… He took the last in the corner, but veteran #1 Foal Rock (6-1) has run enough races that would put him in this group… #2 The Commission (4-1) has been running quite well lately when stretched out and is 2-for-3 at this dash distance… In the table below each description, the Rating is not a speed figure but can be considered indicative of the horse’s level of performance over the past year. Click the plus sign next to each horse to see the horse’s trainer and jockey and their stats…
RACE 2
6-2-5
Top selection #6 Blameitonmyroots (8-5) is coming off a sharp first win in which he was involved in the early action with a runner dropping to eighth as it powered away to victory. He’s also the only one in our top three to have made a start in recent months, so while this is a step forward against the winners first and foremost, the combination of the smart score and recency has put him at the top… #2 T Rex Union (1-1) takes the decrease in payment to the claimant company in its first from the bank. Trainer Runco has a 34% success rate on comparable breaks, so it’s reasonable to think this one will fire, but we’re not inclined to even take money for a horse coming off an eight-month holiday… #5 Abolitionist (12-1) had a few near misses against similar ones but, like #2, arrives in a few months…
RACE 3
8-7-5
Let’s make a big push in a pretty lukewarm group #8 Fernando’s Gold (15-1). The five-year-old Ballado’s Gold gelding moves into the Lori Bourne barn and (finally) moves up the pecking order of girls’ claims. He has enough early foot that, in a low-speed race, he could work out a trip, and he had some pretty good outings on the mountain that would compete here… #7 Smooth Sailor (3-1) ran evenly last time when he dropped to this level and makes his second start of the form cycle here. He leaves the same race as our top pick from the second race, Blameitonmyroots… #5 Buzz Bunny (2-1) got off to a slow start in the same race as #7, but had a strong late rally and even galloped ahead of the winner…
RACE 4
6-1-3
Top choice #6 Golden Years (4-1) has had good races against equally talented rivals, but has struggled against better ones, like last time when he was smothered by the talented Overnight Pow Wow and the next Laurel, two other than winner In My Memories. But with two backs against her, similar to this, she galloped. Looking for a recovery effort here… Search for #1 Ran the Red (9-2) to be involved in the early action with her combination of early foot and the rail draw, but note that she finished well behind #6 two back… #3 Maci’s world (9-5) won that big Beyer figure last when she won at MNR, but she hasn’t managed to win the N1X there multiple times, which makes taking small odds on her here a risky proposition…
RACE 5
6-10-2
So here’s the deal: #2 Acts of love (6-5) obviously wins this race if she can return to the form she was in when she was last seen. She had run much better and at times also competitively. But…that was in 2024, as she missed the entire year last year, and even though she had a $30,000 claim on that last start, she entered her for just $5,000. Maybe trainer Farrior is trying to steal a march by making her eligible for starters, or maybe he’s trying to get her sold and out of the shed. Anyway, we have too many questions to declare her the best with what will surely be slim odds… Her form is a bit in-and-out, but #6 Itzayana (10-1) runs good races every now and then, and a return to her two-back form would compete here at an attractive price… #10 Dame Catherine (10-1) arrives in good form, with her latest victory marking her fourth consecutive in-the-money finish…
RACE 6
1-6-7
Okay, that last performance at MVR was rotten, and she’s a filly taking on the boys, but the first two attempts of #1 Kass N Kiki (12-1) were solid, and it may be that the six furlongs were too much to ask. She looks to be the fastest of them all here, and with Christian Hiraldo, who beat her earlier, in the irons, look for her to come running out… #6 No time for boogie (4-1) is competitive here, but has lost this race several times and is winless on the trip… Favorite in the morning line #7 York Tavern (9-5) generally has better figs while racing at the Big A, but the 7yo is 1-for-26 and has been away for almost a year…
RACE 7
7-2-4
Quick sorting #7 Amalfi Sunset (5-2) defeated a similar two-turn last and now returns to a one-turn distance she previously won at. She’s probably not the fastest early runner here – that’s probably #3 Determined Love, a two-furlong winner twice this year – but she’s got good footing and the helpful outside draw… In a race where several are vying for early supremacy, someone who doesn’t, but will try to pick up the pieces, is #2 Kluvyameanandnasty (4-1)… #4 Coal Country (2-1) finished behind our top pick three back, but is coming off a win…
RACE 8
8-5-2-11
The King Barn has gained a rate of 33% since the beginning of last year, and #8 Subject to change (4-1) is coming off a win versus similar. His early speed should allow him to get into a good spot at or near the lead… #5 Valhalla Palace (5-2) stuck with it after seeming to be tired lately… #2 Mr. Sandman (7-2) could be the main speedster in the group, but makes his first start since September, first at CT, and first in the Joy barn…
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